Balance your life with Yoga. Which style is best for you?

October 20th, 2007 · No Comments

I recently took up yoga and am attending classes at my gym twice a week. It is an Ashtanga yoga class that lasts 1 hour and 15 minutes. Although it is sometimes hard to get in the right state of mind with gym music thumping in the background (I highly recommend yoga studios), I do find that it is a great form of exercise to complement my weekly running workouts and it also helps balance my busy life.

Although all yoga styles are based on the same physical poses (called asanas), there are a wide range of styles to choose from making each class very different. If you’re starting out like me, you might be confused by the names so I’ve put together a list of some of the most popular styles in the United States below. Maybe you will find one that appeals to you and make it a part of your weekly routine.

Note, I’ve only focused on five styles of yoga, but there are many, many other styles of yoga out there including Kundalini, Jivamukti, Anusara, Sivananda and Kripalu just to name a few. If I missed one that you enjoy, please add your favorite in the comments section. I’d also like to point out that I’ve only provided a broad description of each style to give people a general understanding. There are many other differences and I’ve included a list of yoga sources at the bottom of this post for those of you interested in more detail.

Hatha

Hatha is considered the easiest form of yoga making it a good choice for someone who is starting out and wants to learn the basic poses. It involves slow movements and stretches, and simple breathing techniques. Because of the pace, it is also an excellent form of meditation and relaxation.

Ashtanga

Sometimes referred to as power yoga, Ashtanga yoga is performed at a fast, intense pace synchronized with breathing. The emphasis is more physical than spiritual making it popular among athletes and people looking for a full body workout. It helps to know the basic yoga poses before going into this class so that you don’t injure yourself (this coming from someone who is nursing a sore shoulder!).

Iyengar

The emphasis of Iyengar yoga is correct form and body alignment. Although you move slowly, poses are generally held for a longer period of time (up to a minute). Additionally, props such as blankets, blocks and straps are used to help align the body. It is an especially good style of yoga for people who are recovering from an injury.

Vinyasa

Vinyasa classes can cover a wide range of poses but will invaritably include Sun Saluations. The most distinctive characteristic Vinyasa is its focus on breathing. Each movement is linked together in a continuous flow with an inhalation or exhalation.

Bikram

Also known as hot yoga, Bikram is practiced in a heated room between 95 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit. The heated room is intended to loosen the muscles and increase sweating to rid the body of toxins. The class consists of 26 postures and two breathing exercises lasting 1 ½ hours or more, so bring a towel and plenty of water to drink before and afterwards.